Fans attending the Brickyard 400 will witness a unique blend of basketball and racing this Sunday. The organizers have appointed Pascal Siakam, an All-Star from the Indiana Pacers, as the pace-car driver for the race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

This selection follows closely on the heels of the Pacers’ matchup against the New York Knicks during the Eastern Conference finals, which coincided with the Indianapolis 500, only a short distance away.

It’s a notable occasion, marking the fourth time that a dual event featuring Pacers basketball and NASCAR racing has occurred in Indianapolis. Siakam will now lead the NASCAR Cup cars to the starting line in a 2025 Chevrolet Blazer EV SS. The event will take place on the iconic 2.5-mile oval track, returning to racing rather than the road course for the second consecutive year.

In the words of Doug Boles, President of IndyCar and the speedway:
  > “Basketball and motorsports — Pacers and racers — go hand in hand in Indianapolis. Following the Pacers’ electrifying postseason run, it’s only fitting to have Pascal join us to pace the field as NASCAR’s biggest stars compete for glory at the Brickyard.”

Notably, Siakam only began playing basketball at age 17, hailing from Cameroon, and has since become a three-time All-Star and a two-time All-NBA selection, contributing to the Toronto Raptors’ championship win in 2019.